Membrane cholesterol access into a G-protein-coupled receptor

Cholesterol is a key component of cell membranes with a proven modulatory role on the function and ligand-binding properties of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Crystal structures of prototypical GPCRs such as the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) have confirmed that cholesterol finds stable binding...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Guixà González, Ramon, 1978-, Albasanz, José L., Rodriguez-Espigares, Ismael, Pastor Maeso, Manuel, Sanz, Ferran, Martí Solano, Maria, Manna, Moutusi, Martínez Seara, Hector, Hildebrand, Peter W., Martín, Mairena, Selent, Jana
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Repositorio:Repositorio Digital de la UPF
OAI Identifier:oai:repositori.upf.edu:10230/32148
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10230/32148
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms14505
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:G protein-coupled receptors
membrane lipids
Molecular dynamics
Descripción
Sumario:Cholesterol is a key component of cell membranes with a proven modulatory role on the function and ligand-binding properties of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Crystal structures of prototypical GPCRs such as the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) have confirmed that cholesterol finds stable binding sites at the receptor surface suggesting an allosteric role of this lipid. Here we combine experimental and computational approaches to show that cholesterol can spontaneously enter the A2AR-binding pocket from the membrane milieu using the same portal gate previously suggested for opsin ligands. We confirm the presence of cholesterol inside the receptor by chemical modification of the A2AR interior in a biotinylation assay. Overall, we show that cholesterol’s impact on A2AR-binding affinity goes beyond pure allosteric modulation and unveils a new interaction mode between cholesterol and the A2AR that could potentially apply to other GPCRs.